Keyboard



Dec.. 279 1927 m6539633 J, WHWAMER v KEYBOARD Filed Feb, 5, 1925 5 sheetsheet 1 A E i n lm! m im.- n m N J. WHXTAKER KEYBOAR D Filed Feb.

.Jullll A n mm.. 2m w27. www@ J. WHTAKER KEYBOARD Ffled Feb. 5. 1925 5 Shees-Sheeb 5 Patented Dec. 27, 1927.

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN WHITAKER, OF NORTHVWALES, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO BANKERS TRUST COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

` xnYBoAnn.

Application led February 5, 1925. Serial No. 6,985.'

loe changed from onegeneral class to any other, simultaneously Y Y Still anotherl object of the invention is to so construct the key board that when one key thereoie has been pressed it is locked in such depressed position until the machine, to which the key board is attached, has pertormed the function assigned thereto lby the` 2U pressing of that particular key and by virtue et such mechanism no other key or' said key board can possibly be pressed into an 'operative position until thecycleof operations, controlled by the pressing of the iirst key has been completed, and the said tiret key released and returned to its normal position.

key board embodying the above-men.-

` tioned features can be applied to and used .3@ advantageously in connection with a large and divergent variety ot mechanical appliances, including check writing machines, typewriting machines,f calculating machines, adding machines, cash registers, change y making machines, money counting machines,

mechanical registers, bookkeeping machines, key board printing devices, linotype and similar machines, or in tact any key board operateddevice, wherein a multiplicity of classes ofcharacters are to be employed, by the use of a number ot keys not exceeding the number of characters embodied in the largest single class to be so employed.

As an example of the above-mentioned applications of my invention and considering the device as applied to a check writing machine, the key board may embody in a single class of characters visible at one time, the letters ot'. the alphabet and the numerical characters from one to nine, also the necessary marks ot punctuation, whereby through the mechanical elements of such machine and controlled bythe keys of said key board, an operator can write the name, address and other devices of identification of the recipient ot a check being written. By merely operating a single lever the class of characters visible may be changed from that above noted to one wherein words, written in full and representing the numerical characters in units from one to twenty and in tens from twenty to ninety and such abbreviations as (Hun.) for hundred, ('lho.) tor thousand, (ll/lil.) tor million, (Dol.) for dollars, (Cta) Jr'or cents and (Ins.) for insured, or any other words ork abbreviations as may be deemed necessary, will appear on the keys of the key board, whereby the amount to be paid the said recipient can be written onthe check, by the mechanical elements controlled by the key board, when such ycharacters appear on the keys oit said key board by the operation ot the above-mentioned single lever.

il! hen applied to a typewriting machine the alphabet may be installed on the keys ot my improved key board in two or more languages, only the characters oit the alphabet ot' one language being visible at any one time, and by moving the above-mentioned lever to diiierent positions the change from one to another language can ybe made,

'llhe mechanical elements necessary to make a change in the operatin conditions ot a machine corresponding to t e above described keyboard change of a machine to which my improved key board is attached, can be operatively attached to the aforesaid single lever and in the case oi typewritlng machines may consist in changing the Glider- Vent type rolls from an inoperative to an operative position, or vice versa, with respect to the platen ot' said machine. The eii'ecting of the above mentioned change 1n mechanical operation= or' the particular form or' machineito which my improved key board may be attached forms no part of the present invention and will henceforth be considered in a general and Vunrestrictive manner'only. 4

ln. the accompanying drawings: I

Fig. l, is a plan view of my improved key board; l n

lill@ lili Fig. 2, is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2 2, Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional plan view taken on the lme 3 3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4, is an inverted plan view;

Fig. 5, is an enlarged sectional elevation of one of the keys;

Fi (i,V is a sectional elevation taken on the line 6 6, Fig. 5;

Fig. 7, is a detached perspectiveyiew of one of the keys of my improved key board and its immediate co-operative elements;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are perspective views of the different forms of keys employed, and

Figs. 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are views of various modified forms of keys which are ap licable to my improved key board.

Viy invention consists of a framework 1, arranged at a convenient angle to facilitate the operation of keys 2 mounted therein and adapted to receive vertical movement with respect thereto.

rlhe framework 1 comprises upper and lower plates 3 and 4, respectively, and end plates and 6.

Each of the keys 2 comprise a shank 7 slidably mounted in the upper and lower plates 3 and 4. Integral with and extend ing laterally from each shank 7 is a nger plate 8, concaved at its lower side, as indicated at 9, for the reception of a movable indicating plate 10.

The finger plate 8 is provided with a rectangular opening or window 11, through which one of a series of characters on the upper surface of the indicating plate 10 will be visible to the operator. verlying the upper surface of the tinger plate 8 is a transparent element 12 which is secured in lace thereon by a retaining cap 13, which 1s provided with downwardly projecting anges 14. The flanges 14 are turned inwardly at their lower edges and serve to retain the elements of the key as a unit, also acting in the capacity of limit stops for the movable indicating plate 10. The retaining cap 13 isf rovided with a rectangular aperture 15 aligned with the'aperture 11` of thenger plate 8.

Each of the indicating plates is provided with a downwardly projecting arm 16 pivotally secured to-theA shank 7 at 17.

As shown in Fig. 2 in the present instance,the keys 2 are arranged in four'longitudinally aligned series forming a socalled bank of keys.

The movable indicatino' has inscribed thereon in tlie present instance, two distinct and separate characters composing two separated and distinct classeshof inscri tions to be used in the operationot the 'mac ineto which my key board is attached.

Each of' the lkeys 2 is maintained in its normal position by a spring 18 coiled around l. projecting arm -19 of 'a plate 2t), secured plate of each key.

Lacasse to the under side of the lower plate 4 of the framework 1. Each spring 18 has one of its ends 21 lying in engagement with the plate 2O and its opposite end 22,'which Jr'orms a sort of arm, engaging a groove 23 in the lower end of the shank 7. Upward movei ment of the shank 7 is limited by a stop 24, integral with said shank 7 and engaging the underside of the upper plate Each of thc Shanks 7 is provided with an extension 25 on the outer end of which is a depending leg 26 parallel Vto the lower portion of the shank 7.

The lower ends of the depending legs 26, of the entire bank of keys 2 are longitudinally aligned in a single row with respect to the framework 1 and project downwardly through apertures in the lower plate 4 there.- of, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

Each of the legs 26 is provided with a lug 27 designed to enter a groove 28, in a longitudinally extending bar 29 which lies par allel to the complete series of aligned dcpending legs 26, when a key 2 is pressed into an operative position.

The bar 29 is rotatably mounted in the end plates 5 and G of the framework 1 and has secured to its end, adjacent the end plate 6, a lever 30. intermediate the lever 3() and the said plate 6, and-coiled around the said bar 29 is a spring 31, having one of its ends secured to the lever 30 and having its opposite end engaging the plate 4. This arrangement of elements tends to turn the har 29 in such a direction that its groove 28 will normally lie in the position shown in Fig. 2, a lug 32 on the lever 30 engages the under side of the plate 4 and limits the rotative movement of the bar 29, to the above extent.

When any one of the keys 2 is pressed its lug 27 enters the groove 28 and turns the bar 29, which turns the lever 30 until a pro jection 33 thereon engages a resiliently mounted catch 34, on the end plate (l. The above-mentioned engagement retains the har 29 in` its turned position and the said' key in its depressed position. With the bar 29 in the above described position any other kcybeing pressed its lug would strike the plain portion of the bar 29 without effect and when the pressure thereon is released the said key will return to its normal position. under the influence of its spring 18. The first pressed key will be retained in its depressed position until the cycle of operations, assigned to the machine have been completed, release of said key being perfected by mechanism hereinafter described.

The catch 34 is slotted at 35 for the reception of va retaining stud 36, the opposite inclined end 37 of said catch resting on a projecting'. pin 38 on the end plate 6. A

-isprlng 39, ihaving one of its ends secured to a pinl40 on the end plate 6 and its oppositel fifi tenaces t j end secured to theI catch 34, serves to retain anges` 42 and 43 immediately adjacent the end plates and 6 respectively. Secured in the said flanges 42 andV 43 are studs 44, 44 and 45, 45 which project through slots 46, 46 and 47, 47 respectively in the end plates 5 and 6, such construction permitting a moved ment ot said grid 4l parallel to the plane ot the plate'. Y

The grid 4l is provided with a series of bars 48 disposed at an angle to the longitudinal sido bars 49 thereof. rll`he bars 48 lie adjacent the shanks 7 ot the keys 2 parallel to the line of angular transverse align- T side of each of thearms 16 ot the indicating plates l0, which lie immediately adjacentand parallel to each of the shanks 7. rlhe opposite side'oie each of the arms 16 is engagedpby a lug 5l projecting from the bars 48, as shown in Fig. 3.

Movement ot the grid 4l, as will be apparent from the drawings, will move each oli the arms 16, simultaneously with respect to the Shanks 7, causing a corresponding relative movement of the indicating plates l0 with respect to the windows l5, in the caps i3 of the keys 2; such movement obliterating the entire class of characters formerly visible through said windows and presenting` an entirely new class for observation therethrough.

llllovement of the grid 4l is obtained through a lever 52 secured to one end, adjacent the end plate 5, of a longitudinally extending. shaft 53 rotatably mounted in the end plates 5 and 6. Forked levers 54, 54 secured to the shaft 53, adjacent the end plates 5 and 6, engage the supporting studs 44-'44 ot the grid 4l. A. coiled spring 55, having one ot its ends secured to the lever 52 and its opposite end resting on the bottom plate 4, tends to retain the grid 41 in the position shown in the drawings; retention in the position above described relative to the movement of the indicating plates l0, is obtained by the engagement of a hook 56, pivoted to the lever 52, with a projecting pin 57, on the end plate 5. Release of the hook 56 may be accomplished in any desired manner.

For the purpose of illustration only and lorming no part of the present invention certain of the elements of a machine, to 'which my improved key board mayl be operatively applied, are shown in the drawings `and include a. spiral formed selector Wheel 58, rotatably mounted in the side frames 59 of the machine.- Secured to one end of the selector wheel 58 is a gear wheel 60 which meshes with a gear wheel 61 suitably mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 62. The gear 6l meshes with an idler gear 63 Which in turn meshes with a gear 64 secured to a shaft 65 splined to which is a pair of character wheels 66 and 67. rlhe shaft 62 as aforementioned rotates continuously and through a clutch mechanism 68 rotates the described train of gears and therewith the selector wheel 58 and character wheels 66 and 67.'

Through mechanism not shown and torming no part of the present invention, the character wheel provided with a class ot characters rcorresponding with the class of characters visibly displayed through the windows of the keys 2, is automatically selected tor relative co-operation with the platen oi' the machine, when said visible class of characters is moved to its position or visibility in said keys.

When it is desired to change the class ot characters, visible in the windows oit the keys, by operating the lever 52 to its other position the character wheel corresponding in characters to the class to be displayed on the keys will automatically be operatively connected to the mechanism of the machine. and will be selectively controlled by the keys of the key board.

ln operation of the machine the selector wheel 58 and character wheels 66 and 67 are driven continuously through the shalt 62 and the train ot gears 60, 6l, 63 and 64. 'When any one ot the keys 2 is pressed the lower end ot the leg 26 ot such key is projected into the path ot' rotation of the s iral selector wheel 58, which will stop said w eel, the said train of gears and the operating character wheel in such a position that a character on said character wheel, corresponding with the character displayed on the pressed key will be operatively aligned with the platen ot the machine. y

` As above mentioned the pressing` of one of the keys 2 turns the bar 29 until the projecting end 33 oli the lever 30, attached to said bar is engaged and retained by the latch 34, thereby retaining the key 2 in its depressed position.

The shaft 62, after the stopping ot the selector wheel 58, the said train of gears and the operating character wheel, continues to rotate, in order that the cycle of operations of the machine may be executed by said shaft; such continued rotation being permitted by virtue ot the mechanism ot the clutch element 68 (which Yterms no part ot the present invention). lWhen said cycle of operations is completed a projecting pin 69 on the shaft 62 engages an end 70 ot the tlf) lll)

lever 30, opposite the end 33 thereof, and returns the said lever 30 and its associated bar 29 to their normal positions, wherein the pressed key 2 is released and returns to its normal position through the action of its spring 18.

Release of the point 33 of the lever 30 is ellected by sliding the catch 3l longitudinal- `ly on the pins 36 and 3S, the inclined end 3T thereof riding up on said pin 38 until the hook portion of said catch 311 disengages the said point 33 of the lever 30, Whereafter the catch 34 is returned to its normal position under influence of the spring 39.

It will be yunderstood that my improved key board may be built into the machine to which its principles are to be applied or it may bc built as a separate unit and detachably secured to the machine at the discretion of the designer of such machine.

It is quite obvious that many modilications may be made in the construction of' my invention as applied to various classes of mechanisms to be controlled thereby, without departing from the spirit and essential features of the invention.

In Figs. 11 and 12, I have illustrated a key employing a circular indicating plate having three diiferent characters thereon, it being understood, however, that I may place any desired number of characters on the'indicating plate Without departing from the spirit of the invention. The circular indieating plate l()a is secured to a vertically' mounted rotatable spindle 16 and may be moved to a position wherein any desired one of the characters may be exposed to View, as shown in Fig. 12, by a rack 48 and pinion 50a as shown in Fig. 11.

In Figs. 13 and 14C, another form of key is illustrated having a combined linger and indicating plate 8b adapted to be rotated with respect to said key a distance of one hundred and eighty degrees (180), to display either side of said plate, on which is inscribed a different character, operation thereof being accomplished by a crank 50 and lever 16" as shown.

In Figs. 15 and 16, still another form of key is illustrated having a triangular combined finger and indicating plate 8c which is operated in substantially the same manner as the structure shown in Figs. 13 and 14, except, in this case, lthe plate is capable of movement in three steps of 120 each to display any one of the inscribed faces of the key uppermost.

I do notl intend to limit the use of`the device to the application set forth in the drawings and description thereof, as it will be understood that such illustration was made merely to clarify the operation of my device as applied to one of the many forms of mechanism to which my invention is applicable, therefore only such limitations should tecaeea be placed upon the scope of my invention ae are set forth in the appended claims, or required by the prior art of record.

l claim- 1. A key board selector key comprising a shank, a linger plate rigidly mounted on said shank; a movable indicating plate mounted adjacent said finger plate; a depending arm rigidly secured to said indicating plate and pivoted to said shank; and means for moving said indicating plate with respect to said linger plate. n

2. A key board selector key comprising a shank; a linger plate rigidly mounted on said shank; a movable indicating plate mounted adjacent said linger plate; a depending arm rigidly secured to said indicating plate and pivoted to said shank; an opening in said linger plate; a plurality of characters on said indicating plate; and means engaging said depending arm for moving said indicating plate with respect to said linger plate to cause the different characters of the indicating plate to register individually with the opening in the finger plate.

A keyboard comprising a frame; a series of selector keys operatively mounted in said frame; movable indicating plates on said keys; a grid slidably mounted in said frame for operating the said indicating plates; and means for operating said grid.

fl. A key board comprising a frame' a series of selector keys operatively mounte in said frame; indicating plates operatively mounted on said keys; a grid slidably mounted in said frame for controlling said indicating plates; means for operating said grid; and means for retaining said grid in any one of the positions to which it may be moved.

5. A key board comprising a frame; a series of selector keys mounted in said frame, each key comprising a finger plate and a shank; a movable indicating plate adjacent said finger plate and having an arm pivoted to said shank; a grid slidably mounted in said frame and having projections engaging'said arms, and adapted to move said indicating plates simultaneously, with respect to said linger plates; means for operating said grid; and lmeans for retaining said grid in its adjusted position.

6. A key board comprising a frame; a series of selector keys mounted in said frame, each key comprising a linger plate and a movable indicating plate adjacent thereto; a plurality of characters on each of said indicating plates; an opening in each of said linger plates immediately above one of said characters; a shank on each linger plate; an arm on each indicating plate pivoted to said shank; a grid slidably mounted in said frame; projections on said grid engaging said indicating plate arms; means for operlil) Aey board Comprising a frame; a

t selector keys mounted in said trame ted to be depressed Witli respect j eaeli key Comprising a iinger plate movable indicating plate adjacent `fi a plurality of characters on eaek ot' series o it plate; ed "1 A. in ioating plate arms and adapted move indicating plates relative to inver plates, simultaneously; to bring a r oi" individual eliaraeters there- Hegistry ivitli tlie openings in the Les, to maintain tbe indicating e@ plates tneir adgusted positions ivitn respect J,ne i'inger plates when tlie keys are depressed; means tor retaining a depressed key in its depressed position; and means for returning said key to its normal position.

d, key board comprising a :trame; a series oi selector keys mounted in said trame adapted to be depressed with respect thereto, eaeli key comprising a inger plate and a movable indicating plate adjacent thereto; a plurality of eliaracters on each ot said indicating plates; an opening in each linger plate immediately above one of said eliaractors; a shank on each inger plate; an arm on eacli indicating plate pivoted to said sbank; a projecting lug on each sllank; a grid slidably mounted in said trame; projections .on said grid engaging said indicating plate arms and adapted to move all the said indicating plates relative to the linger plates, simultaneously, bringing a different set ot tlie individual characters thereon into registry tvitli the openings in the tinger plates, and to maintain tlie indicating plates in their adjusted positions vvitli respect tothe linger plates when tbe keys are depressed; a bar pivoted in said frame; groove in said bar adapted to engage tlie shank lng oi a depressed key, said bar being turned on its pivots by the depressed key and thereby presenting a rigid abutment to tlie keys @eena @ying their normal positions to prevent 4"lieir being depressed; means for releasing the depressed key; and means for moving the keys to their normal positionsn ik il key board comprising a trame; a series oit selector keys mounted in said trame and adapted to be depressed vvitli respect thereto; a sliank on each key; a lug on eaeli. key skank, tlie said Shanks and said lugs or tlie entire series oi selector keys losing laterally aligned respectively one vvitli other; a l" pivoted in said trame parallel to said aligned shanks and having a. groove adapted be engaged by the lugoi'f key when it is depressed; said engagement eausing tlie pivoted bar to turn. and thereby present a rigid abutment to tlie remainder ot the series oi key shank lugs, preventing y ytlieir depression.,

l0. A key board comprising a trame; a series of selector keys mounted in said trame and adapted to be depressed with respect thereto; a shank on each key; a lug on each key shank, the said Shanks and said lugs ot the entire series ot selector'keys being laterally aligned respectively one with the other; a barl pivoted in said frame parallel to said aligned Shanks; a. groove in said bar adapted to be engaged bythe lug of a` key when it is depressed, said engagement eausing the pivoted bar to turn and thereby present a rigid abutment to the remainder ot the series of key shank lugs, preventing their depression; means for retaining the bar in its turned position; means for returning said bar to its normal position; and means for returning each key to; and maintaining it ift/,its normal raised position.

JHN lWliiill'liAKlllt 

